GUI-based API for test systems

Abstract

A GUI-based API for a test system provides a user-friendly interface for generating API function calls in one of several different programming languages, as selected by the user. The GUI-based API prompts the user to select from a list of valid API functions, which are generated based on the test system configuration. The values for the selected API function parameters are then specified by selecting from a valid list of choices or by entering an arbitrary value. The valid list of choices presented to the user for selection is generated based on the test system configuration and on the prior parameter values specified by the user. For API functions including parameters that have a main parameter and optional parameters, input interfaces for specifying the values for the optional parameters are also presented to the user. Every parameter of the selected API function is processed, so that when the last parameter is processed, an appropriate end of function signature is automatically inserted.

1 . A method of generating API function calls to be executed in a test system, comprising the steps of: 
 identifying API functions that are available based on a configuration of the test system;    presenting a group of the available API functions for selection; and    generating an API function call based on a selected API function.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 identifying system resources that are available based on the configuration of the test system; and    presenting a group of the available system resources for selection,    wherein the API function call is generated based on the selected API function and a selected system resource.    
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 presenting a group of parameter values, one of which is to be selected as a parameter value for a parameter of the selected API function; and    presenting a plurality of input fields,    wherein one or more of the input fields are deactivated in response to the selection of the parameter value.    
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising the step of presenting an input interface for use in specifying additional parameters relevant to said parameter of the selected API function.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 presenting a first group of parameters values, one of which is to be selected as a parameter value for a first parameter of the selected API function; and    presenting a second group of parameters values, one of which is to be selected as a parameter value for a second parameter of the selected API function,    wherein the second group of parameter values is determined based on the parameter value selected for the first parameter.    
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of presenting a group of programming languages for selection, wherein the API function call is generated in a programming language as selected.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating the API function call comprises the steps of: 
 retrieving a group of parameters for the API function call;    determining values for each of the parameters; and    when the values have been determined for all of the parameters, generating a character string that indicates an end of the API function call.    
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the values for each of the parameters are determined based on inputs made through a graphical user interface.  
     
     
         9 . A method of generating API function calls to be executed in a test system, comprising the steps of: 
 presenting a group of the supported API functions for selection;    retrieving a group of parameters for a selected API function; and    generating the API function call based on the selected API function, including data for each of the parameters and a character string that indicates an end of the API function call.    
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the data for each of the parameters are generated based on inputs made through a graphical user interface.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the step of presenting a group of programming languages for selection, wherein the API function call is generated in a programming language as selected.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the step of generating the API function call comprises the step of presenting a graphical user interface for making inputs relating to at least one of the parameters, wherein data for said at least one of the parameters are generated based on said inputs.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the graphical user interface presents a group of valid choices for selection for at least one of the parameters.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the graphical user interface includes an input field in which an arbitrary string of characters can be specified for at least one of the parameters.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the step of generating the API function call comprises the step of presenting a series of input interfaces for the parameters, wherein the data for each of the parameters are generated based on inputs made using the input interfaces.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the parameters are ordered in accordance with a sequence predefined for the selected API function, and the input interfaces for the parameters are presented in accordance with said sequence.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the character string that indicates the end of the API function call is generated when an input using the last input interface in the series of input interfaces is confirmed.  
     
     
         18 . A computer-readable medium having stored therein program instructions to be executed in an apparatus for controlling a system operable under software control to carry out the steps of: 
 identifying API functions and system resources that are supported by the system;    presenting a group of the supported API functions and a group of supported system resources for selection; and    generating the API function call based on a selected API function and a selected system resource, including a character string that indicates an end of the API function call.    
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 18 , further including program instructions to be executed in the apparatus for controlling a system operable under software control to carry out the additional steps of: 
 retrieving a group of parameters for the selected API function; and    determining values for each of the parameters,    wherein the character string that indicates the end of the API function call is generated after values for all of the parameters have been determined.    
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 18 , further including program instructions to be executed in the apparatus for controlling a system operable under software control to carry out the additional step of presenting a group of programming languages for selection, wherein the API function call is generated based on a selected programming language.